Mukurthi National Park - मुकुर्थी राष्ट्रीयउद्यान
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 Photo by : marcus334 in flickr More images... |
Mukurthi National Park is situated in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu, at a distance of approximately 27 km from Ooty. It lies on the southeastern corner of the elevated Nilgiri Plateau and is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere. Spread over an area of over 80 Sq km, Mukurthi Wildlife Sanctuary of India has an altitude that averages around 2400 m. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between the months of February and May or September and November.Timings: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm (Tuesday closed)
Located on the high altitudes of the Nilgiris, comprising rolling downs interspersed with temperate sholas, this park is also a part of Nilgiri Bio-sphere reserve and situated 40 km from Udhagamandalam. It contains a viable population on Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus-hilocrius), Sambhar, Barking deer, Nilgiri marten and otter, Jungle cat, Jackal etc.
Avifauna consists of hill birds viz laughing and whistling thrushes, woodcick, wild pigeaon and black eagle. Butter-flies with Himalayan affinity like the Blu Admiral, Indian Red Admiral, Indian Fritillary, Indian Cabbage white, Hedge blues and rainbow trouts can be also be seen.Trekking routes exist from Parsan valley, portimund, pykara etc. Trout fishing is recommended in the rivers and lakes of Mukurthi. Permission from Asst. Director, Fisheries Department, Udhagai, must be obtained in advance for fishing.
Mukurthi National Park, an extremely picturesque park is located on the south eastern corner of the elevated Nilgiris Plateau in Tamil Nadu. The park forms a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere and is one of the two National parks in the Nilgiri district.
Mukurthi extends to an area of 80 Sq. km (7846 ha) at an average elevation of about 2400m. This park has a wide variety of flora and fauna similar to the Himalayan Flora and fauna. The terrain, primarily grasslands is characteristically interspersed with numerous isolated, compact, sharply defined montane wet temperate mixed forests locally termed 'Sholas' with beautiful brooks. The sholas have savannah woodlands, and evergreen trees which are more stunted than those in lowland evergreen forests. Billithadahalla, Pykara and Kundah rivers flow through the park.
Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus hilocrius) is the main attraction in this park. Besides that Sambhar, barking deer, Nilgiri marten, otter, jungle cat, jackals etc are the commonly found animals.
The bird population includes Laughing and whistling thrushes, woodcock, wild pigeon and black eagle etc.
The park also has large varieties of butterflies that includes blue admiral, Indian red admiral, Indian Cabbage white, Hedge blues, Rainbow trouts and Indian fritillary, which has a similarity to the Himalayan Butterflies.
Among the park's highest peaks are Devabetta (2553 m) and Mukurthi, which offer some of the best views of the Nilgiris. At the foot of the Mukurthi hill (8380 ft), 9 km from the peak lies the Mukurthi dam which also is a must see place. Nilgiris gentle slopes and cool climate offers easy trekking. There are no entry permits needed nor it is essential to hire a guide in these trek routes but it is good to inform the District forest Officer especially if you are going on a long trek inside the park.
The park is open on all days from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm except Tuesdays. Entry Fee : below five years - Free, Children above five years and below 12 years - Rs.10.00, School Children (Age 5 to 12 years) from Government and aided Schools - Rs.2.00, School Children from Private Schools (Age 5 to 12 years) - Rs.10.00. Adult : 15.00.
Still Camera: Rs.25, Handy Camera / Video Camera - Rs.150, Charges for documentary educational films using Handy camera and Video Camera - Rs.2000. Parking vehicle charges : Heavy vehicle : no fee, Motor car/van Rs. 15.00; Motor Cycle : Rs. 5
Fortune Hotel Sullivan Court 3 Star
123, Selbourne Road,Udgawandalam (Ooty)- 643001
Phone : 0423 - 2441415 / 16, 2441068, 2443022,
Fax : 0423 - 2441417
Email - Contact Us
Holiday Inn Gem Park Ooty 3 Star
Sheddon Road, Udagamandalam-643001
Phone : 0423 - 2442955, 2443066, 2441761, 2441762
Fax : 0423 - 2444302,
Email - Contact Us
Hotel Khems
Ettines Road, Udagamandalam- 643001
Phone : 0423 - 2441635 /36, 2444188,
Fax : 0423 - 2442461,
Email - Contact Us
Hotel Lakeview
West Lake Road, Ootacamund-643004
Phone : 0423 - 2443580 - 82, 2443904, 2440978 - 83,
Fax : 0423 - 2443579,
Email - Contact Us
Hotel Sinclairs Ooty Udagamandalam 3 Star
444, Gorishola Road,Udagamandalam- 643001
Phone : 0423 - 2444309, 2441376 - 80,
Fax : 0423 - 2444229,
Email - Contact Us
Howard Johnson The Monarch 3 Star
Church Hill,Off Havelock Road,Udagamandalam- 643001
Phone : 0423 - 2444408, 2444418, 2443655,
Fax : 0423 - 2442455,
Email - Contact Us
Howard Johnson The Monarch Safari Park Udagamandalam
Bokkapuram, Masinagudi-643 223
Phone : 0423 - 2526250, 2526343,
Fax : 0423 - 2526326,
Email - Contact Us
Merit Inn Southern Star Udagamandalam
22, Havelock Road, Udagamandalam- 643001
Nahar Hotels (Nilgiris) 3 Star
52 A. Charring Cross, The Nilgiris , Ootacamund- 643 001:
Phone : 0423 - 2442173, 2443685,
Fax : 0423 - 2452253,
Email - Contact Us
Nalapad Residency 2 Star
ood Cock Road, Near Rex School
St. Marys Hill
Udagamandalam- 643 001
Savoy Hotel Heritage
77, Sylks Road, The Nilgiris
City : Udagamandalam- 643101
Phone : 0423 - 2444142 upto 2444147,
Fax : 0423 - 2443318,
Email - Contact Us
Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Ltd
P.B. No. 73, Kundah House Road, Fernhill-Udagamandalam- 643004
Phone : 0423 - 2441073, 2450948, 2450949,
Fax : 0423 - 2445890,
Email - Contact Us
Sterling Holiday Resorts, Elk Hill
P.B. No. 25, Ranakrishna Mutt Road, Ramakrishna Puram
Udagamandalam-643001
Phone : 0423 - 2441395,
Fax : 0423 - 2444265,
Email - Contact Us
The Nilgiri Woodlands
Ettines Road, Udagamandalam- 643 001
Phone : 0423 - 2442451, 2442551,
Fax : 0423 - 2442530,
Email - Contact Us
The Willow Hill Udagamandalam 2 Star
58/1, Havelock Road, Udagamandalam- 643 001
Phone : 0423 - 2444037, 2444758, Cell: 9994310025,
Email - Contact Us
Welcome Heritage Fern Hills Palace
Fernhill Post, Fernhill, Udagamandalam- 643004
Phone : 0423 - 2443910 to 15,
Fax : 0423 - 2443097,
Email - Contact Us
Welcome Heritage Regency Villas
Fernhill Post, Fernhill, Udagamandalam - 643004
Phone : 0423 - 2442555, 2445681 /82 /83,
Fax : 0423 - 24443097,
Email - Contact Us
259, Anna Salai, DMS Compound,
IV Floor, Teynampet,
Chennai 600006
Phone : 044- 24321471
The Wildlife Warden,
Mahalingam Buildings,
Coonoor Road,
Udhagamandalam (Ooty) – 643001
Phone : 0423- 2444098
District Forest Officer (North)
Phone : 0423- 2441950
District Forest Officer (South)
Phone: 0423- 2444083
Tourist Officer
Tourist Office
Wenlock Road, Ooty - 643 001
Phone: 0423- 2443977
Fax: 0423- 2444369
Nilgiris Wildlife and Environment Association
C/o DFO (North)
Mount Stewart Hill,
Ootacamund, 643 001
Phone: 0423- 2447167
Altitude : 2400 m
Nearest Town : Ooty (27km)
Best Time : February to May and September to November
Accommodation : Forest Rest House at Avalanche, Pykara and trekking sheds.
How to get there : Rail-Udhagamandalam/Ooty (45 km) Air-Coimbatore (140 km)
Main Attractions : Nilgiri Thar, Nilgiri Marten, Otter, Barking Deer, Sambar, etc
Avifauna consists of hill birds viz laughing and whistling thrushes, woodcick, wild pigeaon and black eagle. Butter-flies with Himalayan affinity like the Blu Admiral, Indian Red Admiral, Indian Fritillary, Indian Cabbage white, Hedge blues and rainbow trouts can be also be seen.Trekking routes exist from Parsan valley, portimund, pykara etc. Trout fishing is recommended in the rivers and lakes of Mukurthi. Permission from Asst. Director, Fisheries Department, Udhagai, must be obtained in advance for fishing.
Mukurthi National Park, an extremely picturesque park is located on the south eastern corner of the elevated Nilgiris Plateau in Tamil Nadu. The park forms a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere and is one of the two National parks in the Nilgiri district.
Mukurthi extends to an area of 80 Sq. km (7846 ha) at an average elevation of about 2400m. This park has a wide variety of flora and fauna similar to the Himalayan Flora and fauna. The terrain, primarily grasslands is characteristically interspersed with numerous isolated, compact, sharply defined montane wet temperate mixed forests locally termed 'Sholas' with beautiful brooks. The sholas have savannah woodlands, and evergreen trees which are more stunted than those in lowland evergreen forests. Billithadahalla, Pykara and Kundah rivers flow through the park.
Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus hilocrius) is the main attraction in this park. Besides that Sambhar, barking deer, Nilgiri marten, otter, jungle cat, jackals etc are the commonly found animals.
The bird population includes Laughing and whistling thrushes, woodcock, wild pigeon and black eagle etc.
The park also has large varieties of butterflies that includes blue admiral, Indian red admiral, Indian Cabbage white, Hedge blues, Rainbow trouts and Indian fritillary, which has a similarity to the Himalayan Butterflies.
Among the park's highest peaks are Devabetta (2553 m) and Mukurthi, which offer some of the best views of the Nilgiris. At the foot of the Mukurthi hill (8380 ft), 9 km from the peak lies the Mukurthi dam which also is a must see place. Nilgiris gentle slopes and cool climate offers easy trekking. There are no entry permits needed nor it is essential to hire a guide in these trek routes but it is good to inform the District forest Officer especially if you are going on a long trek inside the park.
Facilities inside the park
For adventure seekers, there are trek routes and camping facilities. Trekking is enjoyable in Parson's valley, Porthimund and Pykara as the areas have a pleasant climate and beautiful scenery. Mukruthi lake is great for trout fishing. Permission must be acquired from the Director, Fisheries Department, Udhagai. There is a trek from the picturesque Parson's Valley to Porthimund, a village lying deep in the hills. One could pitch a tent here for the night, before proceeding to Mukurthi. There is a forest bungalow here for stay. From Mukurthi, you can trek north to the Pandiar Hills, and pitch a tent for the night. Then to the Pykara Falls, along the Pykara Lake. For trekking details contact Nilgiris Trekking Association, 31 D, Bank Road, Ooty.The park is open on all days from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm except Tuesdays. Entry Fee : below five years - Free, Children above five years and below 12 years - Rs.10.00, School Children (Age 5 to 12 years) from Government and aided Schools - Rs.2.00, School Children from Private Schools (Age 5 to 12 years) - Rs.10.00. Adult : 15.00.
Still Camera: Rs.25, Handy Camera / Video Camera - Rs.150, Charges for documentary educational films using Handy camera and Video Camera - Rs.2000. Parking vehicle charges : Heavy vehicle : no fee, Motor car/van Rs. 15.00; Motor Cycle : Rs. 5
Flora
The flora of Mukurti National Park of India is very much similar to what is found in the Himalayan range. The landscape is dominated by grasslands, which are mostly dotted with a number of secluded, dense and sharply defined wet temperate mixed forests. These forests consist of savannah woodlands, along with evergreen trees, smaller than the lowland ones. The main sources of water in the park are Billithadahalla, Pykara and Kundah Rivers.Wildlife
The pride of Mukurthi Wildlife Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu is its significant population of Nilgiri Thar. Apart from that, one can also see Nilgiri Marten, Otter, Barking Deer, Sambar, Jungle Cat, Jackals, etc.Bird Species
The most popular bird species of Mukurti Wildlife Sanctuary are Black Eagle, Woodcock, Laughing and Whistling Thrushes, Wild Pigeon, etc. One can also find a large number of butterflies inside the sanctuary, like Hedge Blues, Indian Fritillary, Indian Red Admiral, Blue Admiral, Rainbow Trouts, etc.How to Reach
By Air
Coimbatore airport, 140 km away, falls the nearest to Mukurthi. There are regular buses to the Nilgiris from Coimbatore, or taxis and vehicles can be hired from Coimbatore or Chennai to do the trip.By Rail
The nearest railway station is at Udhagamandalam (Ooty) (40 km). A train also links Coimbatore and other southern cities to Mettupalayam, in the foothills of the Nilgiris.By Road
There are regular buses to the Nilgiris from Coimbatore (140km), in addition, taxis and vehicles can be hired from Coimbatore or Chennai to do the trip. From Udhagamandalam (40 km) there are four different entry points for reaching the sanctuary.Accommodation
There are Forest Rest Houses at Mukurthi, Avalanche and Pykara. Alternately one can stay at Ooty, 27 km away. Here are a list of hotels in Ooty.Fortune Hotel Sullivan Court 3 Star
123, Selbourne Road,Udgawandalam (Ooty)- 643001
Phone : 0423 - 2441415 / 16, 2441068, 2443022,
Fax : 0423 - 2441417
Email - Contact Us
Holiday Inn Gem Park Ooty 3 Star
Sheddon Road, Udagamandalam-643001
Phone : 0423 - 2442955, 2443066, 2441761, 2441762
Fax : 0423 - 2444302,
Email - Contact Us
Hotel Khems
Ettines Road, Udagamandalam- 643001
Phone : 0423 - 2441635 /36, 2444188,
Fax : 0423 - 2442461,
Email - Contact Us
Hotel Lakeview
West Lake Road, Ootacamund-643004
Phone : 0423 - 2443580 - 82, 2443904, 2440978 - 83,
Fax : 0423 - 2443579,
Email - Contact Us
Hotel Sinclairs Ooty Udagamandalam 3 Star
444, Gorishola Road,Udagamandalam- 643001
Phone : 0423 - 2444309, 2441376 - 80,
Fax : 0423 - 2444229,
Email - Contact Us
Howard Johnson The Monarch 3 Star
Church Hill,Off Havelock Road,Udagamandalam- 643001
Phone : 0423 - 2444408, 2444418, 2443655,
Fax : 0423 - 2442455,
Email - Contact Us
Howard Johnson The Monarch Safari Park Udagamandalam
Bokkapuram, Masinagudi-643 223
Phone : 0423 - 2526250, 2526343,
Fax : 0423 - 2526326,
Email - Contact Us
Merit Inn Southern Star Udagamandalam
22, Havelock Road, Udagamandalam- 643001
Nahar Hotels (Nilgiris) 3 Star
52 A. Charring Cross, The Nilgiris , Ootacamund- 643 001:
Phone : 0423 - 2442173, 2443685,
Fax : 0423 - 2452253,
Email - Contact Us
Nalapad Residency 2 Star
ood Cock Road, Near Rex School
St. Marys Hill
Udagamandalam- 643 001
Savoy Hotel Heritage
77, Sylks Road, The Nilgiris
City : Udagamandalam- 643101
Phone : 0423 - 2444142 upto 2444147,
Fax : 0423 - 2443318,
Email - Contact Us
Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Ltd
P.B. No. 73, Kundah House Road, Fernhill-Udagamandalam- 643004
Phone : 0423 - 2441073, 2450948, 2450949,
Fax : 0423 - 2445890,
Email - Contact Us
Sterling Holiday Resorts, Elk Hill
P.B. No. 25, Ranakrishna Mutt Road, Ramakrishna Puram
Udagamandalam-643001
Phone : 0423 - 2441395,
Fax : 0423 - 2444265,
Email - Contact Us
The Nilgiri Woodlands
Ettines Road, Udagamandalam- 643 001
Phone : 0423 - 2442451, 2442551,
Fax : 0423 - 2442530,
Email - Contact Us
The Willow Hill Udagamandalam 2 Star
58/1, Havelock Road, Udagamandalam- 643 001
Phone : 0423 - 2444037, 2444758, Cell: 9994310025,
Email - Contact Us
Welcome Heritage Fern Hills Palace
Fernhill Post, Fernhill, Udagamandalam- 643004
Phone : 0423 - 2443910 to 15,
Fax : 0423 - 2443097,
Email - Contact Us
Welcome Heritage Regency Villas
Fernhill Post, Fernhill, Udagamandalam - 643004
Phone : 0423 - 2442555, 2445681 /82 /83,
Fax : 0423 - 24443097,
Email - Contact Us
Contacts
The Wildlife Warden,259, Anna Salai, DMS Compound,
IV Floor, Teynampet,
Chennai 600006
Phone : 044- 24321471
The Wildlife Warden,
Mahalingam Buildings,
Coonoor Road,
Udhagamandalam (Ooty) – 643001
Phone : 0423- 2444098
District Forest Officer (North)
Phone : 0423- 2441950
District Forest Officer (South)
Phone: 0423- 2444083
Tourist Officer
Tourist Office
Wenlock Road, Ooty - 643 001
Phone: 0423- 2443977
Fax: 0423- 2444369
Nilgiris Wildlife and Environment Association
C/o DFO (North)
Mount Stewart Hill,
Ootacamund, 643 001
Phone: 0423- 2447167
General Information
Location : Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu, India Total Area : 80 Sq kmAltitude : 2400 m
Nearest Town : Ooty (27km)
Best Time : February to May and September to November
Accommodation : Forest Rest House at Avalanche, Pykara and trekking sheds.
How to get there : Rail-Udhagamandalam/Ooty (45 km) Air-Coimbatore (140 km)
Main Attractions : Nilgiri Thar, Nilgiri Marten, Otter, Barking Deer, Sambar, etc
 Photo by : Tumkur Ameen in flickr |
 Photo by : Tumkur Ameen in flickr |
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